England U19s begin their campaign in the European Under-19 Championship in Georgia this afternoon - but Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold will not be with them.

The West Derby teenager was not among the final 18 announced by coach Keith Downing on June 26 despite playing a key role in qualifying.

Alexander-Arnold played in six of the qualifying games for the tournament, scoring four goals and providing one assist from his right back position.

The 18-year-old would have been playing on the opposite side to Ryan Sessegnon, the Fulham teenager who was a summer target for Liverpool but who decided to stay at Fulham and signed his first professional deal there last week.

Read More

Trent Alexander-Arnold of England reacts during the U19 International Match between England and Bulgaria at Adams Park on October 10, 2016 in High Wycombe, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

The lack of Alexander-Arnold with England is no slight on his performances however.

Liverpool and England had a discussion about the player’s availability at the end of the season and it was felt that the best thing for the youngster in the longer term was to rest this summer.

He has a huge year ahead and going away with England at this stage would have meant he would have missed a large part of the Reds' pre-season.

It is expected he will be used extensively as a back-up to Nathaniel Clyne as Jurgen Klopp looks to juggle his resources with the extra demands of European football.

Nathaniel Clyne and Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool during a training session at Melwood Training Ground on February 25, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Alexander-Arnold made 12 appearances last season, including seven starts, while also starring for the U23s when available.

England U19s start their Euros fixtuires against Bulgaria in Tblisi at 2.30pm before taking on Holland on Thursday at the same time.

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

Click to playTap to play

The video will start in 8Cancel

Play now

Their final group game is next Sunday at 5pm against Germamy.

The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-final stage.

Sessegnon told thefa.com: “Seeing the U20s win the World Cup gives us additional motivation because it shows that England teams can win tournaments,

“We’ve struggled as a country in the past but the U20s winning gives us that belief. Those players aren’t much older than us so for those to be world champions at U20 level can inspire us to be champions of Europe.

“It would mean everything to me to win a tournament like this. Winning tournaments at any level of football is good but to do it for your country is even better.”